Abstract: Gels that can react with air pollutants in air and methods for making said gels, are provided. The gels are useful for removing air borne pollutants from indoor environments.

Abstract: A device (100) includes a flow channel (115) having a first end (120) to receive fluid flow (122) and a second end (125) to exhaust fluid flow (127), the flow channel (115) having a flow channel opening (135). A piston (130) is disposed within the flow channel (115), the piston (130) having a piston passage (140) to allow airflow through the piston (130). A spring (132) is coupled to the piston (130) and coupled to the flow channel (115). The spring (132) is positioned to allow the piston (130) to move responsive to fluid flow velocity in the flow channel (115), wherein the piston (130) moves to modulate fluid flow through the flow channel opening (135).

Abstract: Compositions for removing air pollutants from the air are provided. These compositions can be sprayed on a variety of surfaces to remove air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the environment, and are suitable for use in human dwellings.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing air pollutants from the air is described. The apparatus contains a fan module and a chamber that can hold either activated carbon or a gel that reacts with air pollutants from air.

Abstract: Methods for forming a coating can include preparing a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the nanocomposite film to form a treated nanocomposite film, and applying a fluorosilane solution to the treated nanocomposite film to form the coating. A coating can include a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, the nanocomposite film having an oxygen plasma treated surface, and a monolayer of a fluoro alkyl chain.

Abstract: A hybrid water filter is provided which includes a polypropylene stage and an activated carbon stage. Various embodiments provide a hybrid water filter including activated carbon fiber in contact with a polyolefin fiber having one or more chelating groups grafted thereon, and activated carbon powder, compact activated carbon, or a combination thereof. Various embodiments provide a device for filtering water including the hybrid water filter, a method of using the hybrid water filter, and a method of forming the hybrid water filter.

Abstract: A non-woven article that contains a component that reacts with air pollutants in the air is described. The non-woven article can be formed into a fabric that can be used in a variety of household items.

Abstract: Compositions for removing air pollutants from the air are provided. These compositions can be sprayed on a variety of surfaces to remove air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the environment, and are suitable for use in human dwellings.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing air pollutants from the air is described. The apparatus contains a fan module and a chamber that can hold either activated carbon or a gel that reacts with air pollutants from air.

Abstract: Gels that can react with air pollutants in air and methods for making said gels, are provided. The gels are useful for removing air borne pollutants from indoor environments.

Abstract: Media and devices for water filtration are described herein. One method of forming a water filter medium includes modifying a polymeric fiber using an amine compound to form a chelating fiber, and combining the chelating fiber and an unmodified polymeric fiber to form a hybrid water filter medium.

Abstract: Methods for forming a coating can include preparing a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the nanocomposite film to form a treated nanocomposite film, and applying a fluorosilane solution to the treated nanocomposite film to form the coating.

Abstract: An anti-fog coating and preparation thereof are provided. The anti-fog coating comprises a cationically polymerizable compound including at least one epoxy group, a radically polymerizable compound including at least one acrylate group, a non-ionic surfactant and an ionic surfactant.

Abstract: Solar cells with enhanced efficiency are disclosed. An example solar cell includes a first electrode (12). The first electrode (12) includes an electron conductor film (14). A quantum dot layer (16) is coupled to the electron conductor film (14). An electrolyte solution (18) is disposed adjacent to the quantum dot layer (16). A second electrode (20) is electrically coupled to one or more of the electrolyte solution (18) and the quantum dot layer (16). The second electrode (20) includes a sulfur-containing coating compound (24), and the electrolyte is a polysulfide electrolyte.

Abstract: An illustrative solar cell may include an electron conductor, an absorber, a hole conductor, and one or more other layers that help reduce interfacial charge recombination within the solar cell for improved solar cell efficiency. In one example, an electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer is provided that blocks or at least substantially inhibits movement of electrons that may otherwise move from within the absorber and/or electron conductor into the hole conductor of the solar cell, while permitting holes to travel from the absorber to the hole conductor. In some cases, the electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer may be transparent or substantially transparent to incident light so that the incident light may reach the absorber material.

Abstract: An illustrative solar cell may include an electron conductor, an absorber, a hole conductor, and one or more other layers that help reduce interfacial charge recombination within the solar cell for improved solar cell efficiency. In one example, an electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer is provided that blocks or at least substantially inhibits movement of electrons that may otherwise move from within the absorber and/or electron conductor into the hole conductor of the solar cell, while permitting holes to travel from the absorber to the hole conductor. In some cases, the electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer may be transparent or substantially transparent to incident light so that the incident light may reach the absorber material.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods for manufacturing solar cells and/or components or layers thereof are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer for use in a solar cell may include providing a first precursor compound, providing a second precursor compound, and combining a portion of the first precursor compound with a portion of the second precursor compound to form a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer that includes a plurality of quantum dots that differ in bandgap.

Abstract: Disclosed are solar cells and methods for making solar cells. Also disclosed are counter electrodes for solar cells including dye-sensitized and/or nanocrystal-sensitized solar cells. An example counter electrode for a solar cell may include a substrate, a microstructured template disposed on the substrate, and a layer of catalytic material disposed on the microstructured template.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally ordered macroporous sensor apparatus and method of forming the same. A direct opal film associated with a number of pores can be formed by vertical deposition of one or more nanospheres on a glass substrate. The thickness of the direct opal film can be controlled by concentration of the nanospheres. A mixture of a precursor/monomer of a sensing material and a complexing agent can be filled into the pores associated with the direct opal film, such that the mixture permeates the interstitial spaces between the pores. The nanospheres may then be removed in order to form a three dimensionally-ordered macroporous electrode with an inverse opal structure. Optionally, the sensing material can be coated on an inverse opal backbone structure formed from an external inactive material and utilizing a coating operation.

Abstract: A flexible solar cell is assembled by forming a TiO2 patterned layer on a flexible substrate electrode. Quantum dots (QDs) are formed on the TiO2 patterned layer. A gasket is disposed between the flexible substrate electrode and a flexible counter electrode forming a sandwich. Electrolyte and sealant are injected between the substrate electrode and flexible counter electrode to form the flexible solar cell.